Book Description
I.
The Dynamics of Spiritual Journey
1.
Mysticism and Methodology
2.
The Ontological Circle
3.
Spiritual Journey in the Four Valleys and the Seven Valleys
II.
The Critique of Spiritual and Historical Reason
4.
The Kitab-i-Iqan: Context and Order
5.
The Kitab-i-Iqan: Theology Revolutionized
6.
The Kitab-i-Badi`: The Promise Fulfilled
III.
The New World Order
7.
The Kitab-i-Aqdas: Date and Constitutive Principles
8.
From the Order of the Book to the New Order
9.
Philosophical Premises of the New World Order
10.
Spirit, History, and Order
Publisher comments
“This is the first scholarly attempt at a systematic exposition in English of major themes to be found in the principal writings of Baha’u’llah. The author, a sociologist, has a profound understanding of Baha’i scriptures, reads them in the original languages—Persian and Arabic—and is also well equipped with solid knowledge of both philosophical and sociopolitical theories current in the Western world of thought. He offers a detailed analysis of all the major works of Baha’u’llah, who, the author suggests, revealed them in three successive stages during His ministry, thereby laying the foundation for His ethics and mysticism, followed by theology and hermeneutics, and then the laws of personal and social conduct, as well as the structure of a new administrative order. . . . I know of no other work offering as penetrating an insight into some of Baha’u’llah’s writings such as the Kitab-i-Iqan, Sahifiy-i-Shattiyyih (Book of the River), and the Kitab-i-Badi‘, the latter two ! being almost totally unknown in the West. Particularly provocative for students of modern history are chapters 9 and 10 where ‘Philosophical Premises of the New World Order’ and the Baha’i views of ‘Spirit, History, and Order’ are discussed.” —Heshmat Moayyad, Professor of Persian Language and Literature, University of Chicago
“A remarkable and discerning approach to some of Baha’u’llah’s most important scriptures. The book delivers plenty of new insights and places well-known aspects of Baha’u’llah’s writings in different, interesting contexts. In a fascinating way, the author discovers and describes inner links between various issues and aspects of the Baha’i teachings and approaches some concepts from a new and convincing perspective. The book is not only helpful for scholars and experts in the field of religious studies but for any reader, who will find its insights have quite practical implications for personal life and spiritual development.” —Nicola Towfigh, coauthor, Making the Crooked Straight --Ce texte fait référence à l'édition Broché .
